Foreign Language Anxiety is recognized as an affective factor in foreign language learning and normally discussed alongside other individual learner differences (Gardner & MacIntyre, 1992:215). Based on Krashen’s Affective Filter Hypothesis, this survey intends to find out whether the foreign language anxiety exist in students majored in English, Zengcheng College of South China Normal University; whether there is any relation between students from different regions and whether there is any difference between students of different gender.
Questionnaire has been chosen to conduct this survey. Target subjects of this survey are students majored in English. Based on the collected data and analyses, we draw the conclusion that firstly, students majored in English of Zengcheng College experience anxiety in the language class; Secondly, students from rural areas feel more anxiety than urban students and there is no obvious different feeling of anxiety between male and female students.
From the above of the findings, some suggestions are put forward. On one hand, teachers should care more about the rural students and help them to build up their conficdence. Creating a less stressful environment for students is a must. On the other hand, recognize language anxiety properly and be well prepared for the language classes students supposed to.
Of course, the limitation of this study is obvious. First of all, the subjects are limited to a relatively small group of Translation-majored students. As language anxiety is a complicated problem, the small group of 105 may not represent all the English major students. Secondly, it isn’t all things considered in the questionnaire. Besides, a large number of intervening variables concerning anxiety, such as learners’ family background, attitude, and personality etc, which may as well affect students’ language anxiety, are ignored. In spite of the limitations, it is sincerely hoped that the present survey can inspire further research in this area.
